TABLE 1.
Comparison of qPCR, DSE, and culture results with specimens obtained by swab, FNA, and biopsy
| Parameter | Value(s) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swab | FNA specimen | Biopsy specimen | Total | |
| % qPCR-positive specimens (no. of qPCR-positive specimens/total no. of specimens) | 38 (78/203) | 47 (47/101) | 42 (38/90) | 42% |
| Median bacterial DNA load estimated by qPCR (no. of bacteria/ml) | 23,500 | 2,100 | 250,000 | 91,900 |
| % positive DSEa (no. of qPCR-positive specimens/total no. of specimens) | 52 (41/78) | 13 (6/47) | 82 (31/38) | 47% |
| % positive cultureb (no. of qPCR-positive specimens/total no. of specimens) | 61 (41/67) | 63 (24/38) | 62 (10/16) | 62% |
a
DSE, direct smear examination.
b
Data include only samples taken before the beginning of antibiotic treatment.